Three Dimensional Puzzle Assembly

ABSTRACT

A three dimensional puzzle assembly includes a three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces has a series of channels and fingers each being integrated into the puzzle pieces. The channels in each of the puzzle pieces insertably receive a finger on a respective one of the puzzle pieces such that the puzzle pieces fit together. Additionally, the three dimensional puzzle has the ornamental appearance of a three dimensional object when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces has dimensions sufficiently large for being incapable of being swallowed by a child. A toy is positionable within the three dimensional object defined by the three dimensional puzzle when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. The toy is exposed when the user successfully disassembles the plurality of puzzle pieces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to puzzle devices and more particularly pertainsto a new puzzle device for entertaining and intellectually stimulating auser. The puzzle device includes a plurality of puzzle pieces thatdefine a three dimensional object when the puzzle pieces are assembled.Additionally, each of the puzzle pieces has dimensions that aresufficiently large such that the puzzle pieces cannot be swallowed by achild. The device includes a toy that is contained within the threedimensional puzzle which can be accessed when the three dimensionalpuzzle is disassembled.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to puzzle devices including a three dimensionalpuzzle that includes boreholes and rods that are insertable into theboreholes. The prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzle thatcomprises a plurality of planar pieces that slide together to define theskeleton of an extinct animal. The prior art discloses a threedimensional puzzle that includes a plurality of polygonal pieces. Theprior art discloses a confectionary product that includes a first shelland a second shell hingedly coupled together and a toy containedtherewithin. The prior art discloses a plush toy that contains a toyhidden therewithin. The prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzlecomprising puzzle pieces that each has undulating edges for assemblinginto a cube.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a three dimensional puzzle comprising a pluralityof puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces has a series of channels andfingers each being integrated into the puzzle pieces. The channels ineach of the puzzle pieces insertably receive a finger on a respectiveone of the puzzle pieces such that the puzzle pieces fit together.Additionally, the three dimensional puzzle has the ornamental appearanceof a three dimensional object when the three dimensional puzzle isassembled. Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces has dimensionssufficiently large for being incapable of being swallowed by a child. Atoy is positionable within the three dimensional object defined by thethree dimensional puzzle when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled.The toy is exposed when the user successfully disassembles the pluralityof puzzle pieces.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a three dimensional puzzleassembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzleassembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 3 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 6 is a left side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosureshowing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosureshowing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 9 is a front phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosureshowing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 11 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing apuzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showinga puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a toy of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through13 thereof, a new puzzle device embodying the principles and concepts ofan embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 13 , the three dimensional puzzleassembly 10 generally comprises a three dimensional puzzle 12 whichcomprises a plurality of puzzle pieces 14. Each of the puzzle pieces 14has a series of channels 16 and fingers 18 each being integrated intothe puzzle pieces 14. Furthermore, the channels 16 in each of the puzzlepieces 14 insertably receive a finger 18 on a respective one of thepuzzle pieces 14 such that the puzzle pieces 14 fit together. Each ofthe puzzle pieces 14 has a respective one of a plurality of structuralelements 20 integrated therein. In this way the three dimensional puzzle12 has the ornamental appearance of a three dimensional object 22 whenthe three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled.

Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces 14 has a concave profile suchthat the plurality of puzzle pieces 14 forms a hollow structure when thethree dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. Furthermore, each of theplurality of puzzle pieces 14 has dimensions that are sufficiently largesuch that each of the puzzle pieces 14 is incapable of being swallowedby a child. In this way the puzzle pieces 14 do not pose a chokinghazard thereby facilitating the three dimensional puzzle 12 to conformto American child safety laws with respect to consumer products. Each ofthe puzzle pieces 14 has an outer wall 24 and a bounding edge 26, andthe outer wall 24 of each of the puzzle pieces 14 has an outer surface28 and an inner surface 30. The outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 ofeach of the puzzle pieces 14 is convexly arcuate with respect to thebounding edge 26. Furthermore, the inner surface 30 of the outer wall 24of each of the puzzle pieces 14 is concavely arcuate with respect to thebounding edge 26.

Each of the structural elements 20 associated with each of the puzzlepieces 14 extends away from the outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 ofa respective puzzle piece 14. Moreover, an outside surface 32 of each ofthe structural elements 20 conforms to the outer surface 28 of the outerwall 24 of the respective puzzle piece 14. Each channel 16 associatedwith each of the puzzle pieces 14 extends from the bounding edge 26 intothe outer wall 24 of the associated puzzle piece 14. Each finger 18associated with each of the puzzle pieces 14 extends away from thebounding edge 26. Moreover, an exterior surface 34 of the fingers 18conforms to the outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 of the respectivepuzzle piece 14.

As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 , the three dimensionalobject 22 may be an animal, such as an elephant for example. Theplurality of puzzle pieces 14 may include a pair of rear leg pieces 36,a pair of front leg pieces 38 and a pair of head pieces 40. Thestructural elements 20 associated with each of the rear leg pieces 36may include a rear leg of an elephant 42, for example, and a rump of theelephant 44 for example. Additionally, the structural elements 20associated with each of the front leg pieces 38 may include a front legof the elephant 46, for example.

The structural elements 20 associated with each of the head pieces 40may include a pair of elephant ears 48, for example, and a trunk 50 anda pair of eyes of the elephant 52, respectively. In this way the threedimensional puzzle 12 may resemble an elephant, or other animaldepending upon the nature of the structural elements 20, when the threedimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 8through 12 , the three dimensional object 22 may be a heart shape 54,for example, or other geometric shape which is a caricature of anaturally occurring object. Furthermore, each of the puzzle pieces 14associated with the caricature of the naturally occurring object mayhave structural elements 20 of varying qualities to facilitate thecaricature to be defined by the plurality of puzzle pieces 14. As ismost clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 , respective ones of the fingers 18associated with respective puzzle pieces 14 may extend through a frontside 56 and a rear side 58 of the three dimensional object 22 when thethree dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled.

A toy 60 is provided which is positionable within the three dimensionalobject 22 defined by the three dimensional puzzle 12 when the threedimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. Furthermore, the toy 60 is exposedwhen the three dimensional puzzle 12 is disassembled. In this way thetoy 60 will surprise a user when the user successfully disassembles theplurality of puzzle pieces 14. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the toy 60 may be a figurine that has the structural shape of ananimal, such as a pig for example. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 9and 13 , the toy 60 may be a figurine that has the structural shape of adoll or other caricature of a human being.

In use, the three dimensional puzzle 12 may be purchased in a fullyassembled condition in a retail environment, for example. The threedimensional puzzle 12 is disassembled to facilitate the toy 60 to beaccessed. In this way a child, or other user, is rewarded for theirefforts to dissemble the three dimensional puzzle 12 with the toy 60.Furthermore, the three dimensional puzzle 12 can be subsequentlyassembled and disassembled as many times as the child, or other user,may wish to do so. In this way the three dimensional puzzle 12 canfacilitate endless hours of challenge and fun for the child or otheruser.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

1. A three dimensional puzzle assembly having dimensions beingsufficiently large as to not pose a choking hazard to children, saidassembly comprising: a three dimensional puzzle comprising a pluralityof puzzle pieces, each of said puzzle pieces having a series of channelsand fingers each being integrated into said puzzle pieces, said channelsin each of said puzzle pieces insertably receiving a finger on arespective one of said puzzle pieces such that said puzzle pieces fittogether, each of said puzzle pieces having a respective one of aplurality of structural elements being integrated therein wherein saidthree dimensional puzzle has an ornamental appearance of a first animalwhen said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of said pluralityof puzzle pieces having a concave profile such that said plurality ofpuzzle pieces forms a hollow structure when said three dimensionalpuzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces havingdimensions being sufficiently large wherein each of said puzzle piecesis configured to be incapable of being swallowed by a child; and a toybeing positionable within said three dimensional object defined by saidthree dimensional puzzle when said three dimensional puzzle isassembled, said toy being exposed when said three dimensional puzzle isdisassembled wherein said toy is configured to surprise a user when theuser successfully disassembles said plurality of puzzle pieces, said toybeing a figurine depicting a second animal.
 2. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein each of said puzzle pieces has an outer wall and abounding edge, said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces having anouter surface and an inner surface, said outer surface of said outerwall of each of said puzzle pieces being convexly arcuate with respectto said bounding edge, said inner surface of said outer wall of each ofsaid puzzle pieces being concavely arcuate with respect to said boundingedge.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of saidstructural elements associated with each of said puzzle pieces extendsaway from said outer surface of said outer wall of a respective puzzlepiece such that an outside surface of each of said structural elementsconforms to said outer surface of said outer wall of said respectivepuzzle piece.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said channelassociated with each of said puzzle pieces extends from said boundingedge into said outer wall of said associated puzzle piece.
 5. Theassembly according to claim 2, wherein said finger associated with eachof said puzzle pieces extends away from said bounding edge such that anexterior surface of said finger conforms to said outer surface of saidouter wall of said respective puzzle piece.
 6. A three dimensionalpuzzle assembly having dimensions being sufficiently large as to notpose a choking hazard to children, said assembly comprising: a threedimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces, each of saidpuzzle pieces having a series of channels and fingers each beingintegrated into said puzzle pieces, said channels in each of said puzzlepieces insertably receiving a finger on a respective one of said puzzlepieces such that said puzzle pieces fit together, each of said puzzlepieces having a respective one of a plurality of structural elementsbeing integrated therein wherein said three dimensional puzzle has anornamental appearance of a first animal when said three dimensionalpuzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces having aconcave profile such that said plurality of puzzle pieces forms a hollowstructure when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of saidplurality of puzzle pieces having dimensions being sufficiently largewherein each of said puzzle pieces is configured to be incapable ofbeing swallowed by a child, each of said puzzle pieces having an outerwall and a bounding edge, said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieceshaving an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface of saidouter wall of each of said puzzle pieces being convexly arcuate withrespect to said bounding edge, said inner surface of said outer wall ofeach of said puzzle pieces being concavely arcuate with respect to saidbounding edge, each of said structural elements associated with each ofsaid puzzle pieces extending away from said outer surface of said outerwall of a respective puzzle piece such that an outside surface of eachof said structural elements conforms to said outer surface of said outerwall of said respective puzzle piece, said channel associated with eachof said puzzle pieces extending from said bounding edge into said outerwall of said associated puzzle piece, said finger associated with eachof said puzzle pieces extending away from said bounding edge such thatan exterior surface of said finger conforms to said outer surface ofsaid outer wall of said respective puzzle piece; and a toy beingpositionable within said three dimensional object defined by said threedimensional puzzle when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, saidtoy being exposed when said three dimensional puzzle is disassembledwherein said toy is configured to surprise a user when the usersuccessfully disassembles said plurality of puzzle pieces, said toybeing a figurine depicting a second animal.